Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnee123
Yeah, it turns over normally. Brights work fine. The lid goes up and down fine.
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Headlight for post 2006 Beetles is an H7 bulb. Two separate bulbs in one glass envelope. That means high beams and low beams are powered by separate wires - separate circuits.
If a fuse caused a failure, then the headlight would be out. Dimming is another (different) problem. And complicated by Daylight Running Lights (DRL). DRL means something lowers voltage - some kind of black box that could be a resistor or more likely some electronics. When headlights are powered on, then something bypasses that black box. Puts all 12 volts to the low beam filament – one of two lights inside that glass envelope.
When you switch to high beams, then that low bean filament is powered off. 12 volt then connects to the other filament - the high beam.
Unusual for the typical halogen bulb to just dim. Either it works or it blows out. And therefore that is about as far as I can go since I do not have schematics for the headlight circuit.
Traditionally, the Chilton, et al manuals do not provide those facts. Chilton does not write their own manuals. Manual is written by VW. The VW manual would have information necessary to further diagnosis. Chilton simply copies selected passages from the VW manual and puts a Chilton cover on it.
Meanwhile, the owners manual would list any useful information such as fuses or unique behavior.
Well, you could try replacing the bulb. But from what I read (and what would be in that owner’s manual), the VW bulb requires a 5 mm wrench. Most all light bulbs (including the tail light) are easily replaced by hand - no tools. But this VW bulb apparently requires a 5 mm wrench. An exciting challenge to me. You don't want to try it.
Furthermore, never touch a finger to glass of a headlight bulb. Oils from a finger can cause the glass to crack or explode. Just another reason why you are encouraged to replace your own tail light bulbs. But should consider assistance (training) before replacing a headlight bulb. I do not see any recourse other than a mechanic for this problem. Hopefully it is only the light bulb - sold even in K-mart. But that usually means the bulb completely fails – does not just dim.
A light dimming implies a failure in the DRL circuitry - probably a 'bypass the DRL circuit' failure. I could be wrong. But your failure does not have the typical symptoms of something easy to fix - headlight bulb failure.